Finally, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! [Because] to write this again is no trouble to me, moreover it is a safeguard for you. [Here’s what I’m writing to you again:] Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of those who mutilate the flesh! Read More

So then, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, continue working out your salvation with awe and reverence, for the one bringing forth in you both the desire and the effort – for the sake of his good pleasure – is God. Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without blemish though you live in a crooked and perverse society, in which you shine as lights in the world. – Philippians 2:12-15

Like this:

My confident hope is that I will in no way be ashamed but that with complete boldness, even now as always, Christ will be exalted in my body, whether I live or die. For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. – Philippians 1:20-21

10 Implications of Christian Hedonism in our lives

This will change how we view God. God is most glorified when God is most pleased in himself, therefore God is the most happy being in the universe.

This will change how you view Conversion. It is no longer just believing true doctrines and fearfully submitting to God. It is the changing of one’s heart’s desire. Changing of one’s taste for the things of God. From haters of God to lovers of God.

This will change how you view worship. Worship is not us giving to God but that we are feasting at the sight of God’s beauty

This will change how you view Love. Love is not just self denial, it is denial of private pleasure for the sake of corporate pleasure in God.

This will change how you view Scripture. Scripture is no longer just a boring book of facts about God, but that it becomes a kindling to our joy in God. It gives us a glimpse on who this glorious God is.

This will change how you view prayer. Prayer is no longer prayers for things that will eventually lead us away from lasting Joy, but prayers that would empower us to endure temporary losses for eternal joys.

This will change how we view money and resources. This will test us if we are lovers of money or God.

This will change how we view Marriage. It typify Christ’s service even to the point of dying for the Church because of the joy that was set before him. Namely the purity of his bride, and the bride’s glad submission to his husband.

This will change how we view missions. We are to spread the gospel for the joy of all peoples in God. Not just to be saved from the flames of hell.

This will change how we view suffering. Suffering will no longer be the absence of joy but a means to it. Christ is most magnified in us, whether by life or by death, when we are more satisfied in him than what we have in this life or what we lose in death.